Warriors dominate paint in 106-98 win over Wolves

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Mark Jackson's Golden State Warriors have started flexing their muscles and picking up steam after being pushed around in a loss to Denver last weekend.

Golden State Warriors' Harrison Barnes dunks in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Friday, Nov. 16, 2012, in Minneapolis. The Warriors won 106-98. Barnes and David Lee each scored game highs of 18 points. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Rick Adelman's "magnificent nine" Minnesota Timberwolves have finally started to wear down after a spirited start to the season and desperately need the break they have coming up.

David Lee had 18 points and 13 rebounds and the Warriors dominated inside during a 106-98 victory over the Timberwolves on Friday night.

Carl Landry added 15 points and seven boards and Stephen Curry had 17 points and six assists for the Warriors (5-4), who outscored Minnesota 58-22 in the paint.

After the Nuggets owned them inside in a double-overtime win on Saturday, the Warriors have responded with two decisive performances in the paint in wins over the Hawks and Wolves.

"We talked about it losing to Denver a couple of games ago because they outrebounded us and they dominated us," Jackson said. "So we made the adjustments and fortunately the last two games we've been doing a good job of securing the basketball, closing out defensive possessions."

Alexey Shved had 22 points and seven assists and Derrick Williams had 23 points and seven rebounds for the Timberwolves (5-4), who are starting to succumb to the injuries that have ravaged them early this season. Now they have four much-needed days off to try to recuperate.

"We're running out of gas a little bit," said Andrei Kirilenko, who had 18 points, six rebounds and four blocks.

The Wolves have been playing with just nine players for the last three games. Nikola Pekovic (sprained left ankle), J.J. Barea (sprained left foot) and Brandon Roy (sore right knee) are out for the short term. Kevin Love (right hand) and Ricky Rubio (left knee) aren't expected to make their season debuts until December and Chase Budinger (left knee) is out for three to four months.

Harrison Barnes had 18 points and nine rebounds and the Warriors outrebounded Minnesota 50-34. Golden State led 90-76 with eight minutes to play, but the scrappy Wolves clawed back in it, just as they've done all season.

Shved's runner cut it to 92-89 with four minutes to go, but the short-handed Wolves just didn't have enough in the tank to finish it off.

Lee hit a short jumper and Charles Jenkins and Barnes both scored on easy drives to close it out. It was a nice win for the Warriors to start a tough three-game road trip that includes games at Oklahoma City and Dallas.